Best headlight protectant

What is everyone using for headlight maintenance after car washes? To prevent oxidation and peeling. I’m not talking about restoration kits. I have new headlight housings so want to start applying something to protect them early on.

 

There are many lines of thoughts, wax will protect bugs and the like from sticking, clear coat works but they need to be clean and clear.
I clean and wax mine every time I wax my truck. I’m also use trim restore on those parts and wax my wheels (not tires)

 

Probably a graphene or ceramic coating of some sort but I don’t know that anything will prevent yellowing.

 

That Scotty guy on YouTube recommended something from Meguire or Mothers. I forget

 

It’s probably cheaper overall to not do anything, let them yellow or haze after about 7-8 years, and then just replace with brand new ones when it comes time.

 

Or spend 17 dollars on the Cerakote headlight restoration kit (after they’re hazed), spend 30 mins to do a good job and have damn near brand new headlights for next to no cost. I used this kit on my daughter’s 2011 Impreza back in NOV 22 and they seriously look brand new after being completely hazed over.

EDIT: Wash your truck at least every other week and really get all the shit off your headlights, that will also help keep them from oxidizing and hazing.

 

I used this from Weathertech. https://www.weathertech.com/toyota/2022/tacoma/lampgard/tacoma-trd-pro-1/yes/ I have it on my wife's Escape and looks fantastic after 8 years. They are a pain in the ass to install but after it has a chance to purge any bubbles or crinkles (a few weeks) they are totally invisible and crystal clear! They really seem to do the job!

 

I used PLEXUS plastic protectant on a recommendation. It is a type of sray coating.

Leaves the very smooth to the touch. Reminds me of non stick spray. -But dry.

I use it on headlights and tail lights. Puts a nice coating on plastic.

I've used it also on the pro stickers. It cleans and keeps them streak free...

Supposedly intended for the aircraft industry - plastic aircraft canopies.

Seems to work very well. I started using it with the Taco.

1 can will last a long time.

I've used wax when lights are in good condition in the past

 

exactly my thoughts, i use to obsess over it . I came to the same conclusion as you did

 

Just washing is all do...all I've ever done.

I replaced the headlights on my 2003 Honda Pilot at about 15 years when I got tired of how they looked.

Three years later, I had to say goodbye to my Pilot...but I got my Sport as a reward!

 

McKee's 37 as a good preventative on new lights.

CeraKote to restore and seal with a lifetime warranty. You could call CeraKote and ask about just using the 3rd step of that product on a new light and see what they say.

I've used both with good results.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9NP0_nF2ak

 

Jet Seal; looks like new.

 

How about good ol wax? Will that help between washes? I have some Meguiars Plastix but hesitant to use it on new headlights since it’s a polish and has some mild abrasive/ correction ingredients which I do not need at the moment.

 

Chem guys

Jet Seal

apply - let it sit 20 mins. Wipe off

use every 90 days

 

If any of your older cars have the headlights oxidized, this product was bad ass in bringing back the clarity in our 2008 Element.

 

I ceramic coated my new ‘15 Pro lights with
https://www.drbeasleys.com/headlight-coating-kit.html

 

Just curious but how often is a re-spray needed?

 

I've done every 2-3 car washes...

 

This ^. 3M ftmfw